At the end of Federer's first round match at the Australian Open a fawning interviewer asked about his kids and if he had bought coach Stefan Edberg a birthday present - no, by the way, the privilege of knocking up with 'King Roger' was enough of a present apparently.

I don't understand most of the comments made in this thread from "supposed tennis fans". Do you guys just want a game filled with 6'6 power hitters serving out of a tree or what? I like variety. I like that a guy like Gilles Simon or David Ferrer can be successful in today's game as well. I want to see all different types of play. This whole "pushing" argument is just stupid. If Gilles didn't have some level of talent, he wouldn't be ranked consistently where he is. Ergo, his style is a valid form of play whether you like it or not. I guess I just don't, nor do I care to, understand some "fans" of tennis.

I know really- they want Gilles to be Del Potro? He can't, he's half a foot or so too short. He has to make do. And guess what, Del Po is out an Gilles is stille fighting.

I know really- they want Gilles to be Del Potro? He can't, he's half a foot or so too short. He has to make do. And guess what, Del Po is out an Gilles is stille fighting.

No surprise a Mugraytard is also a Simon fan...I'd say tennis isn't the sport for you (maybe curling or golf) but your side is winning and soon everyone will be a pusher in the Mugray mold I guess what I'm saying is you're the death of the sport, I hope you enjoy every match being just like this one

this was a match which reminded why I always tune into Clownfils/Simug grindfests - so much joy to watch all that clowning around netting basic volleys into the net after 50 strokes of pushing extravaganza If there ever was a term "entertaining pusher", these two fit that mold perfectly

Topspindoctor
You know you're an epic level mug if you get double bageled by Petzschner

No surprise a Mugraytard is also a Simon fan...I'd say tennis isn't the sport for you (maybe curling or golf) but your side is winning and soon everyone will be a pusher in the Mugray mold I guess what I'm saying is you're the death of the sport, I hope you enjoy every match being just like this one

Your tears are delicious.

I can't wait until Fed retires and all of his tards abandon tennis now that beauty has left the game

i don't get some people whinning like little b*tches.When you saw Simon vs Monfils you had a rather good idea of what can of match it would be so if you can't deal with this style of play why did you watch it ?? masochists much ?

Simply one of the worst matches I've ever seen. Despite the pushing, Simon doesn't really deserve the hate. He was on his way to straight-setting Monfils until he tweaked his knee badly at 2-2. Couldn't move or serve over 80mph and was essentially a walking bye from two sets up. He really should have quit and showed great heart despite the fact that him overcompensating for the knee led to injuries all over his body.

Instead of moving him around and winning easily, Gael just pushed the ball straight down the middle and played the most clownish and embarrassing match I've ever seen. The miss at *2-0 BP in the fifth was the worst I have ever seen. In the fifth set his serve wasn't at all hindered yet the majority of first serves he hit were under 100mph then he'd go through phases of serving at full strength, hitting aces and service winners against the hobbled Simon and doing all the angry chest pumping. I mean, WTF? I genuinely believe he was trying to prolong it for drama.

i don't get some people whinning like little b*tches.When you saw Simon vs Monfils you had a rather good idea of what can of match it would be so if you can't deal with this style of play why did you watch it ?? masochists much ?

Seriously, it's not like it was a final. There were tons of other matches to watch today so just go outside or take a nap during this one if you don't want to see it, you're not forced to watch it. Either way, Gilles has such a big heart, it's such an embarrassment that this board lionizes people like Fognini for their antics and then trash players who give 110% in every match and are as professional as they come.